"They lack the concept of self-reliance (far less selfish than the hand-outs they promulgate)."
Just wanted to make sure the point got across that you are criticizing the local democratic government and not the people afflicted by this catastaphe. Although this attitude needs to be looked at and taken care of (in most EVERY household in America when it comes to disaster preparedness) - I think for now the title of this thread should apply.
We have a system of representative government here. The pols in NO and LA are a reflection of the people. This is 'tolerance of diversity' in action.